Obituary of Donald Raleigh Nichols

Long time Carmel resident Donald R. Nichols died peacefully in his home on February 14, 2011. Aged 90, he was predeceased by his beloved wife Edith, with whom he was reunited on St. Valentine?s Day. Born June 25, 1920 in Wyoming, Don?s family settled on the Central Coast in 1930. In order to help his family during the Depression he joined CCC at the age of 15, postponing his high school diploma, and worked on projects in the Coast Range between Carmel and Big Sur. Don established a life of dedication to hard work and family. That work, combined with his love for the beauty of California would establish the path for his and his family?s life to come. Later, he would return many times to the Santa Lucia mountain range he had come to love, sharing his passion for hiking, hunting and photographic expeditions with his family. Don enlisted in the Army in 1941 the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Army Air Force in England, Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica and Italy as a member of the 414 Night Fighter Squadron of the 12th Air Force, which received the Presidential Unit Citation. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for valor in combat and was honorably discharged in 1945. He met his sweetheart, Edith Billi in Buffalo, New York in 1943 while serving as a test pilot at Curtiss Aircraft Factory, returned from the war and married her, eventually settling in Carmel in 1950, attracted by the natural beauty of the place and proximity to the historic Carmel Mission. His family?s life revolved around the history of the Carmel region and particularly the Carmel Mission community. Don was a leader in the 1958 Carmel Mission Building Committee; the same year he helped establish the Knights of Columbus Carmel Mission Council #4593 and was elected First Grand Knight, becoming a Charter Member. Don continued his dedication to charitable works and service, achieving the rank of Fourth Degree Sir Knight with the Santa Rosalia Assembly #0077 of Monterey. Don worked tirelessly as a leader and fundraiser for Carmel Mission and Junipero Serra School, he and Edee establishing bonds of friendship with families who would become their community for the next 60 years. In 1995 for an article special to the Herald, Don was quoted as saying ?I put so much of my life into it, the Mission was the hub of my family?s life? my children received their sacraments, graduated and were married there.? Dedicated to the hope that the Mission would be preserved for generations to come, he continued, ?When people become conscious of the missions and their place in history they begin to protect them.? Don was also proud of his contributions to the building of the New Camaldoli Hermitage, his daughter?s participation in the Santa Catalina School community, and of his neighborhood in Hatton Fields where he built his family home and was a beloved friend to many. Don made his career on the Peninsula as a member of the UA Pipe Trades Local 62. From 1969 until his retirement in 1987 he served as Business Manager for the District, advocating on behalf of members of the building trades. As District Council Representative to the State Assembly he negotiated tirelessly for safe working conditions, welfare programs and fair wages. As a widower he frequently traveled to re-connect with fellow WWII airmen at the Reno Air Races and spent time visiting and photographing the California Missions, retracing the steps he traveled so many times with his wife. He was a beloved father to his children and grandfather to his extended family, always setting the highest example of success through hard work and selfless dedication and service to family, faith and country. In addition to his wife Edith he is predeceased by his parents Ruth Linn Nichols and George H. Nichols. He is survived by his daughter, Debra (William) Nichols Comstock of Tiburon, son Gary (Kathleen) Nichols of Pacific Grove and grandchildren Katherine, Peter, Alyssa, Heather, Amy and Jannae. Rosary Vigil will be held at 7pm, Thursday, March 17 at Holy Rosary Chapel, Santa Catalina School, Monterey. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 am, Friday March 18 at Carmel Mission Basilica, followed by reception in Crespi Hall. Donald will receive military honors at a private inurnment at El Carmelo Cemetery. Arrangements by Mission Mortuary. The family suggests donations to The Tri-centennial Capital Campaign of the Carmel Mission Foundation for the restoration of the Carmel Mission.